For saving space and soil, this method also has several
other benefits, including no soil-borne diseases, no
weeds to pull and no soil to till, run-of-the-mill side
benefits of soil-less gardening.

Hydroponics for orchid cultivation

Passive hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil. Instead a practically inert wicking medium transports water and fertilizer to the roots by capillary action. Medium contains a multitude of free air spaces and thus delivers oxygen to the roots. This has been applied to orchid growing where, as well as its commonly-cited advantages, the sterility and the humidity associated with the technique are of particular benefit.


Hydroponics Guide
Passive hydroponics culture. Development of roots in clay pebbles.

Planting
Orchids can be planted in any container (not glass) with no drainage holes at the bottom but a few extra holes 3-5 cm up at the sides of the pot. The idea is to provide a water reservoir at the bottom of the container from which the medium wicks moisture to the roots.

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